Remote control system



Feb. 9, 1932. M. J. sAMMER 1,844,638

REMOTE. CONTROL SYSTEM.

Filed Feb. l2, 1930 /fa 14,4. a

INVENToR. Jfaczel d Summer By ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 9, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC MICHAEL J. HAMMER, F ELIZABETH, NEW JERSEY morn comor. sYs'rm This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a remote cont-rol system. The invention has for an object the provision of a device of the class mentioned which is of simple durable construction, de-l pendable in use and efficient in action, and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

The system employs the balanced transformer principle as a means for selecting a certain frequency from a remote point. The invention proposes two balanced transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a relay in series, manually controlled means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive eilect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means for connection to change the frequency of the circuit of a radio set or other control.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawingsforming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a schematic wiring diagram of the remote control system applied to a radio recelver.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view of one of the inductive discs used in the system.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing a transformer.

The system illustrated includes two balanced transformers 10, 11, a primary circuit 12, and a secondary circuit 13. The primary circuit includes in series two coils 14 5 and 15 and the secondary circuit includes in series two coils 16 and 17. The coils 15 and 16 form one of the transformers, namely transformer 11 which is the transfomer placed at the remote point, while the coils 14 and 17 form the other transformer 10 which is the transformer placed near the operation polnt.

The primary coils 14 and 15 have an opening 18 for discs 19, 20 herinafter fully described, which are set in inductive relation to the coils. The primary coils 14 and 15 are wound on c lindrical tubings 10. At about the center o the coils there is a space between the turns of wires 18 and a break in the tubings allows the discs 19 and 20 to be set up in inductive relations with the coils by engaging within the opening. The current supply to the primary circuit is of course alternating current, the coils 14 and 15 having varying magnetic fields relative to the coils 16 and 17 as in ordinary transformers. The coils 16 and 17 are oppositely wound on thecylindrical tubings 10 in order that such fields will tend to induce oppositely flowing currents in the secondary circuit 13. 7

Unless deliberately intended to be induction varying factors in the system, the arts closely adjacent the four coils are ma e of fibre, bakelite, bronze, or some other noninductive material. Both coils 16 and 17 -of the system are associated with convenient Y means for varying as desired, the induction between coils 14 and 15. Further, when the circuit is properly adjusted, the coils remain in a fixed position.

The insulated discs 19, 20 set in inductive relation to the coils 14 and 15 have mounted thereon a number of metal fins 21, each tin being of a different size and utilized to change the inductive effect of the system. The number of fins mounted upon both discs depends upon the number of frequencies it is desirable to em loy. The fins on disc 19 as to size and number must correspond to the fins on disc 20 in order to balance the circuit at the proper time.

Disc 19 is manually operated at the remote point, being fixed upon a small shaft 22 to which a calibrated dial 23 is attached. Disc 20 is automatically operated by means of a 10 fractional horsepower motor 24, said motor being controlled by the action of a relay connected in series with coils 16 and 17 (the secondary circuit). The relay 25 makes the circuit more sensitive to quick changes in the system.

The current for operation of the relay 25 1S obtained from the normally unbalanced con` dition that exists in the secondar circuit, due to the unbalanced condition o the primary circuit. A balanced condition exists in both primary and secondary circuits when one of the fins on disc 19 corresponds with the fin of the same size on disc 20. lfVhen a balanced condition of the primary circuit 12 and the secondary circuit 13 exists, the relay 25 is not energized, breaking the current flow in circuit 26 which is an independent circuit connected to a power supply 27, and also connected to the electromagnet 28 of a motor switch 29. v

When the circuit 13 is unbalanced, the relay 25 is energized and causes current to flow in the circuit 26 energizing the electromagnet 28 of the motor switch. The electromagnet exerts a magnetic force on the lever of the switch 29 which closes a circuit 30 to the motor 24.

The electromotor 24 properly geared down drives a small shaft 31 which is connected with the disc 20 and carries one or more arms 32 for one or more selector switches 33. On the drawings the selector switches are shown to one side of the shaft 31, but this is for clearness in illustrating only, since in practice the arms must engage the contacts of the switches. Each selector switch 33 is composed of an insulated ring upon which are mounted a number of contacts 34, the number of contacts corresponding to the number of ins on the disc 20. The contacts are connected to various taps 35 in a radio set to change the frequency of the circuit.

A variable resistance 36 may be included with the system as a means for controlling the volume. This resistance together with switches 37 and 38 and a pilot light 39 are all placed at a remote point conveniently located for the operator of the same. Switch 37 is the main switch of the system. y Switch 38 completes the circuit to the primar of the transformers, while pilot light 39 indicates when the set is in operation.

The operation of the system may be traced as follows: Let us assume a frequency of 7 60 K. C. or 395 meters is desired. The calibrated dial is set at the 760 K. C. mark which also revolves the disc 19 (being set on the same shaft) and brings the fin 21 corresponding to 7 60 K. C. in maximum inductive adjacency to the coil 15. The main switch 37 is then closed. This lights pilot light 39 and allows current to pass to the set and to the motor switch 29. Switch 38 is next closed which completes the circuit to 'the primary winding of the transformers. This switch may be left closed at all times, but is placed in the circuit to conserve current as this circuit may be opened when the set is down to the proper frequency.

Let us suppose that the iin on disc 20 in maximum inductive adjacency to the coils 14 does not correspond to the corresponding tin on the disc 19. With current flowing in the primary circuit 12, both primary 12 and secondary 13 circuits are unbalanced due to the finsv on discs 19 and 20 not corresponding to each other. Due to the current iiow in the secondary circuit 13 caused by the unbalanced condition, relay 25 is energized causing a current flow in circuit 26 which energizes electromagnet 28 of the motor switch 29.

The action of the magnet 28 causes the motor switch 29 to complete the circuit 30 to the motor 24. The motor 24 rotates shaft 3 1 thru suitable reduction gearing, and this in turn rotates the rotary arms 32 and also the disc 20. The rotating of disc 20 will bring the fin on the disc corresponding to the fin on the disc 19 in maximum inductive relation to the primary winding 12. When this condition exists, the circuits, primary 12 and secondary 13, are balanced.

There being no current flow in the secondary circuit 12 due to the balanced condition, the relay breaks the circuit 26 to the motor switch 29 which in turn stops `the motor 24. At this position the switch arm or arms 32 rest upon the proper contacts 34 for the desired frequency.

While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modiications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is 1. A remote control system, comprising two balanced transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils' and a relay in series, manually controlled means -for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive edect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means.

2. A remote control system, comprising two balanced transformers located respectively at operation point controlled by the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including'said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a relay in series, manually controlled means for changing the inductive effect of the .primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means, said primary coils being formed with openings receiving insulated discs with metal fins of different sizes for changing the inductive effects upon different positlons of rotation.

3. A remote control system, comprising two balanced transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a seconda circuit connecting said secondary co1ls an a relay 1n series, manually controlled means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the remote point, a primary mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive effect of the prima coil at the operation point controlled by sai prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means said primary coils being formed with openings receiving insulated discs with metal fins of different size for changing the inductive effects upon different positions of rotation, the fins on the discs of each of the primary coils correspond as to sizes and arrangeu ment.

4. A remote control system, comprising two balanced transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a relay in series` manually controlled means for changing the inductive eiect of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay,

means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means, said secondary coils being wound in opposite directions so as to produce a current for the operation of said relay when the transformers are unbalanced.

5. A remote control system, comprising two balanced transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a

primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a relay in series, manuall controlled means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive effect of the rima coil at the operation point controlle by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled y the condition of said latter means, said manually controlled means forchanging the inductive effectl of the primary coils at the remote lpoint comprises a disc with diercnt sized lins enga e in an openin in the primary coil andf xed upon a shafgt carrying a calibrated dial for manual positioning.

6. A remote control `system, comprising two balanced transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a relay in series, manually controlled means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive eiect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means, said prime mover constituting an ,c

trolled mea-ns for changing the inductive effeet of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means, said means Jfor changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover comprises a disc with fins engaging in an opening in the primary coil and mounted upon a. shaft connected thru a gear reduction with said prime mover.

8. A remote control system, comprising two balancedl transformers located respectively at the remote and operation points and each having a primary coil and a secondary .llo

coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a rclay in series, manually controlled means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay means for changing the inductive eect oi the'primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means, said means for changing the inductive eifect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime' mover comprises a disc with fins engaging in an opening -in the primary coil and mounted upon a shaft connected with a switch and connected thru a gear reduction with said prime mover, said switch comprises an insulation ring with a plurality of contacts corresponding in number with the fins upon said disc and an arm fixed upon said shaft and engageable with the different contacts in different rotative positions of the shafts.

9. A remote control system, comprising two balanced transformers located respec# tively at the remote and operation po1nts and each having a primary coil and a secondary coil, a primary circuit for connection with an alternating source of current and including said primary coils in series, a secondary circuit connecting said secondary coils and a relay in series, manually controlled means for changing the inductive effeet of the primary coil at the remote point, a prime mover connected for operation with said relay, means for changing the inductive effect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover, and a selector switch controlled by the condition of said latter means said means for changing the inductive eili'ect of the primary coil at the operation point controlled by said prime mover comprises a disc with fins engaging in an opening in the primary coil, and means for rotatively supporting said disc.

In testimony whereof I have aixed my signature.

MICHAEL J. SAMMER.

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